A Bit of Nostalgia
This is a good article about a squad in the jungles of Vietnam finding a breif respite. Reposted from Cherries Writer’s blog.
Very good article from a squad leader who was there. Some photos are included. Sometimes, the wardoggies just needed a break.
That, was a great story. Thank you Ex-PH2.
Great find, Ex. Thanks!
Great submission.
Awesome.
Needed that.
Very nice story Ex, thankyou.
You are all very welcome and thanks very much for reading that recounted memory.
The writer of this true war story wasn’t an E-5 squad leader of seven or eight men. He was an O-3 CPT company commander, likely leading about 90 to 100 men. Having been there and done that (but in different locations in the RVN), I can say the article is an accurate reminiscence. My company had a similar experience when we found a large stream and had been in “the bush” for two weeks without a resupply. Just bathing was rejuvenating even though we had to get back into our dirty fatigues and skivvies.
Thanks for the link.
Great read! Thanks Ex!
The A Shau in 1971. Seems as though I’ve BTDT during that timeframe, though as a member of the C, 101 Avn (Black Widows) helicopter company that would have done the CA’s and resupply lifts for D, 2/501st. I especially liked how the CO worked in the heavy morning fogs in that place.
Great memories and Thanks for putting the story out there, Ex.
STRIKE!!
I never had the opportunity to actually enter the A Shau (that I know of), but I spent a fair amount of time within spitting distance. I preferred the mountains to the hill country and flatlands to the East. For one thing, the ‘skeeters were more polite; they didn’t make any noise. Of course, the mountains did have their drawbacks; “vampire caterpillars” (leaches)–an inch or so long, they lurked on low hanging vegetation, dropping on you as you passed.
Terrific scenery, though, as the author says. And encountering “water features” was (almost) always a pleasant break. Streams were nice, but I really enjoyed river crossings, in spite of the danger. Crossing sites usually had fast currents and insecure footing. Occasionally we were told to look out for a body of some poor SOB from another unit who didn’t make it trying to cross upstream of us. Nevertheless, it was a great chance to cool down while bathing and washing your jungle fatigues at the same time. *And any chance to refill canteens was always welcome. Of course if you were the first platoon to cross it did increase your pucker factor. Ah, well, all in a days work.
One time we came to the edge of a cliff overlooking a river valley. The sight and sound of the rushing river was fantastic. Quite a difference from the usual claustrophobic view in the jungle-covered mountains. I found a spot where the soil was soft, and I intentionally made a deep impression of my boot sole. I think I can safely say that I am the only human being to ever step on that particular spot, and probably the only human who ever will step in that particular spot.
One of the major regrets of my life is that I did not have a camera with me over there. Beautiful scenery, and I actually liked the people.
* reminds me of my favorite line from “The Bucket List”—“Three things to remember…”. I would add a fourth, “never pass up a chance to fill your canteen”.
That was a great story. Thanks.
The sort of thing you’ll never read about in any book.